Local MP visits home of the BSI Kitemark™

24 August 2016

Rt Hon Mike Penning MP, Member of Parliament for Hemel Hempstead and Minister of State for the Armed Forces has today visited the home of the BSI Kitemark™.

Kitemark House has seen tens of thousands of products through its doors since 1954 and today welcomed Mr Penning, who was given the opportunity to see some of the products – from fire extinguishers to riding helmets - being tested to the highest possible standards to achieve the BSI Kitemark.

A BSI Kitemark is one of the most recognized symbols of quality and safety and offers true value to consumers, businesses and procurement practices. For consumers, the symbol means that a product has gone through rigorous testing, above and beyond the requirements of CE marking, helping to give the peace of mind that the quality, safety and reliability of their purchase is assured. For organizations, ensuring their products meet the highest possible standards is a key way of ensuring they’ll continue to generate revenue into the future.

The Centre of Excellence, based in Hemel Hempstead has recently undergone a £5m investment, to deliver new tests and schemes enabling manufacturers to bring product to market as quickly as possible. BSI currently employs more than 80 people at the site and in addition offers an apprenticeship scheme in partnership with Oaklands College, with approximately 10 students registered at present.

Mike Penning MP, said: “It was fascinating to visit Kitemark House and to see and learn about the work of the Hemel Hempstead Centre of Excellence. BSI has been a stalwart of the Maylands Business District from very early on and we are very lucky to have such a prestigious organisation in our town. I am heartened to see that BSI are continuing to invest substantial sums of money into their local operation which is great news for them and for the town.”

“The BSI Kitemark is a symbol that around 70% of the British public recognize, and one that has given millions of Britons over the last century the knowledge and comfort that the products they come into contact with are safe and reliable.”

The BSI Kitemark originated as the British Standards Mark in 1903 for use on tramway rails when standardization reduced the number of rail sizes from 75 to five. Today, the BSI Kitemark can be seen on hundreds of products from manhole covers to smoke alarms; security locks to fire extinguishers; and windows and doors to riding helmets. Additionally, there are BSI Kitemark schemes for services, including vehicle damage repair, digital security, furniture removals and the installation of BSI Kitemark products.